City Of Palatka Notice Of Annual Hearing To Impose And Provide For Collection Of Non-Ad Valorem Special Assessments To Fund In Part The Costs Associated With The Continual Readiness To Provide Fire Protection

The property subject to assessment lies within the City of Palatka, Florida.

For several years the City Commission of the City of Palatka, Florida (the “City”), has adopted a special or non-ad valorem assessment to defray a portion of the annual operating and capital costs associated with the Palatka Fire Department. The City Commission’s goal was to put in place a supplemental and alternative means to deal with previous budget shortfalls and work to achieve financial sustainability, so that the rates of assessment for benefited parcels might supplementally, and more equitably and efficiently fund our City’s annual budget and service mission. City policies, practices, the annual fire department budget, the overall budget for the City, and other conditions in making these fire protection services and facilities constantly available within our community continues to test our fiscal stewardship. Accordingly, provision of fire services, facilities, and improvements will in all likelihood continue next year to be funded, in part, by special non-ad-valorem assessments against property located within the City limits. The remainder of the fire protection budget can then be funded with other legally available revenues (most of which are limited ad valorem property taxes) of the City. This is a challenging balancing process this community must address annually. Please read further.

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